Today marks the start of a new category at DoAhead…DoAhead Darlings! Life can be full of the crazies but there are certain things that serve to preserve. Faith and family are what keeps this DoAhead afloat.

The Darlings in my life consist primarily of Doc and our three teens. Over the weeks and months to come you’ll see posts that pertain to these particular peeps.

We’ll also have guest posts on topics that run a wide gammit. We’ll cover subjects like college prep for teens, how to deal with entitlement in kiddos, and how to love and be “in love” with your spouse.

Conversation won’t be lacking. The million variations of relationships in our lives and the gazillion factors that affect those relationships will provide plenty of material.

So grab the creamer and one more shot of coffee because today we’re going to learn a powerful prayer to enlist for those we love.

There are shelves of books that give us guidelines on how to pray. Two of my favorites are by Stormie Omaritan. For our hubbies, Power of a Praying Wife, and for our children, Power of  Praying Parent. After 26 years of marriage and 18 years of parenting my copies are highlighted, dog-eared and tear-stained.

However, in recent months my prayers (particularly for the kids) shifted into overdrive. My prayer life took on a new dimension as I cried out,

“God, what do YOU want me to pray?”

My nose spent an enormous amount of time in His book. It also spent plenty of time buried in carpet. It’s been a season of literally and consistently laying before the throne.

The following is where I landed. It’s a single prayer of intercession marked by three primary “cords”.

1. God will you reveal yourself to us?

2.Will you “cancel the catastrophe” for our family?

3.Will you grant us your favor and the favor of men?

Revelation

I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve prayed for specific outcomes for those I love. Recently, I confessed to God that I was so overwhelmed I wasn’t sure what to pray. I asked Him to show me the most important thing to beseech on their behalf.  He made it clear. There was only one outcome that really mattered in life and it was for them to know Him. He reminded me that He is in the business of revelation and that knowing Him will trump any other need they could ever have.

“For God [does reveal His will; He] speaks not only once, but more than once, even though men do not regard it.” Job 33:14 AMP

Protection

Another area of scripture I examined was the Lord’s prayer. I told myself, “If anybody knew how to pray it was Jesus!” His recommendation that we ask not to be led into temptation and to be delivered from evil struck me. Deliverance and protection is something we want for any loved one.  I believe teenagers need an added measure of both.

“This most patient God, extravagant in love, always ready to cancel catastrophe.” Joel 2:13 MSG

Favor

Prayers of protection are an extension of praying that bad things will not happen to people you love. God reminded me that there was a flip side. He nudged me with the reminder that there were many hero’s in the bible who experienced His favor. He placed His arm around my shoulders, leaned in and whispered, “Pray for my favor and the favor of men.”

“My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. Prov. 3:1-4 ESV

I know God is not a vending machine. We don’t pop in a quarter, push the button and stand back expecting our order to be filled. But I do believe this:

Prayer Matters

He judges our hearts and thoughts. He know our motives and he can smell surrender a mile away. This prayer of three strands is not “magical”, it’s simply low hanging fruit borne of a Mom’s desperate desire to follow Jesus and raise Jesus followers.

If this fruit is right for your family I hope you’ll pick it! If not, talk to The Farmer. My guess is, He’s got a hybrid prayer that’s just right for you and your loved ones!

Your DoAhead Friend,